Jewelry and Charities: A Stunning Combination
August 9th, 2011
I sat down with local jewelry designer and artist, Alicia Van Fleteren, at her studio this week to discuss her inspiration for her jewelry. Her answer was simple, yet infinite: “As an artist,” Alicia said “I see art in everything.”
Alicia’s source of inspiration is limitless. She finds inspiration from within [...]
Read the rest of this entry | Comments Off
Bad Boy or Good Guy: What’s a Woman to Do?
January 22nd, 2011
Written for the savvy readers of LaLaValentine: http://www.lalavalentine.com/index.html
Bad Boy or Good Guy: What’s a Woman to Do?
There are more than two categories for most things in life. But when it comes to men, there are basically two: the Bad Boys and the Good Guys. Sure, there are the rare gems that have the best of both; they are wildly hot and exciting but also financially responsible and willing to settle down in a monogamous relationship before the age of 60. Those men are the exceptions, however, so not worth discussing as a realistic option. So let’s explore the differences between the basic two categories of men out there–and what we women should do about them.
Read the rest of this entry | Comments Off
December 5th, 2010
I’ve been working with Rob Ashe to start a newspaper–The Paper. Our first publication will come out in January, 2011.
We are a different newspaper. In a positive way. Not a fluffy positive way, but a meaningful, real way. We will highlight the role models in our community–the people that we want to be more like. We don’t want to fill your heads with gossip or depressing news; there is enough of that.
Let’s talk about critical issues and ask the questions that need to be asked. Let’s inspire the world, starting with ourselves.
Read the rest of this entry | Comments Off
I’m Back with Medical Posts from Mexico
October 16th, 2010
You might be wondering where I’ve been and why I haven’t posted since May…
I’ve been in a cultural, language, and rain immersion “program” in Oaxaca, Mexico since June. Unfortunately, the program doesn’t come with reliable internet.
The next few posts will be of the medical anthropology sort. In addition to learning Spanish and how to [...]
Read the rest of this entry | Comments Off
Medical Lesson from Mexico: Use of Intramuscular NSAIDs for Autoimmune Diseases
October 16th, 2010
One important difference I have seen in Mexican medicine is the widespread use of intramuscular medications (IMs). In large numbers doctors prescribe many medications, from antibiotics to non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) in IM form rather than oral (pill) form.
Despite the potential advantage for some individuals (like IM NSAIDs for autoimmune patients), overall it seems that injectable medications are being dangerously overused in Mexico.
Read the rest of this entry | Comments Off
Playing Games for Medical Innovation
May 28th, 2010
The Myelin Repair Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Institute for the Future are teaming up to create a project with the goal of generating solutions to accelerate drug discovery and development in all areas of medical research, for all diseases, and all patients.
The project will use gaming and open-source technology to facilitate innovative ideas–similar to the environment in which the computing age was “hatched.”
Read the rest of this entry | Comments Off
April 29th, 2010
Smoking, since I was born, has always been considered one of the most detrimental habits. Almost everything you read about “being healthy” includes something about managing your weight and not smoking. It would be outrageous for a doctor to prescribe nicotine, or tell a patient to keep smoking.
Or would it?
More Reasons to Get Dirty (Hygiene Hypothesis)
March 26th, 2010
More and more advice for getting dirty!
A recent study at Northwestern University further supports this idea. In the March 24, 2010 Chicago Tribune article, “NU Study: Dirt’s Good for Kids,” Robert Channik states that this “study draws a conclusion sure to confuse “germophobic” parents everywhere.”
Additional evidence for the hygiene hypothesis that suggests that there is a danger in being “too” clean. Please see my first three blog entries for more detailed information on this idea.
Want to Lose Weight? Another Reason to “Yoga”
February 21st, 2010
My website is only two months old, but please know that within my blog there are a few entries right now in 2010. The first three are discussions about the “hygiene hypothesis,” which is a possible explanation for the rise of allergic and autoimmune diseases in developed countries. I’m really curious about your insight and response to this new hypothesis.
The second two entries discuss the benefits of Yoga with regard to weight loss and inflammation reduction. Again, any comments you have would be great.
Also please feel free to write to me about discoveries you feel have the potential to dramatically impact our health. I can post your comments as a separate blog entry to start a discussion.
Read the rest of this entry | Comments Off
Exciting New Study at Ohio State University: Yoga Fights Inflammatory Diseases
February 20th, 2010
When you think of activities that are “good for you,” yoga is usually at the top of the list. I never stopped to wonder if this was true because I have heard it so many times and honestly it just seems to make sense. It seems natural that yoga is healthy for your body because [...]
